A DANGEROUS middle-aged man who had sex with a woman who had the mental age of a child has been jailed for 12 months.

Wayne Robert Bauser's victim had severe learning difficulties, played happily with seven and eight-year-olds and did not have the full functioning of an adult.

The woman, now in her twenties and from Accrington, was intrigued by the defendant and the attention he paid her.

After he had taken advantage of her, Bauser made crude, insensitive and hurtful remarks about her to police, Burnley Crown Court heard.

The defendant, said by his lawyer to have a fragile personality and to have suffered genuine and tragic early-life experiences, was jailed for 12 months last week with an extended licence period of a year.

Under old legislation the maximum sentence was two years and Judge Pamela Badley said the court's powers were very limited.

Bauser, then living in Accrington but now of Blackpool, was put on the Sex 0ffenders' Register for 10 years and was banned from working with children.

He admitted sexual intercourse with a defective in April 2003.

Judge Badley told the defendant the victim was unique and no doubt brought a great deal of pleasure to her family through the love that they had for her and she had for them.

The judge said an aggravating feature of the case was that Bauser had contacted the woman's father to make inquiries about her.

She went on: "Despite that, you took the step of having sex with her even though you were told it was not in her best interests."

Judge Badley told the defendant, whose reaction on being arrested was to deny what he had done, that his conduct had been entirely inappropriate.

The court was told Bauser had 167 previous convictions, although none were for sex offences.

Anthony Stephenson, defending, described the case as unpleasant in the extreme and said the offence crossed the custody threshold.

There was nothing in Bauser's criminal record which was remotely similar.

Bauser had behavioural difficulties and an anti-social personality disorder.

His problems from his early age had coloured his personality, he had trouble communicating with any type of authority and he reacted in a certain way if he felt uncomfortable.

Mr Stephenson said the defendant was genuinely sorry for what took place.

The offence was a one-off for Bauser who dealt in an inappropriate way with an approach made to him by the victim.

The barrister went on: "The initial approach was made by her. He should have known how to deal with that better. He did not."

He added: "The defendant pleaded guilty at the very first opportunity. Of offences of its type, this is not the most serious."

After the case Detective Constable Susan Smith, of Accrington CID, said: "Bauser is a dangerous offender who committed a serious offence against one of the most vulnerable members of our community.

"There is no doubt his victim will suffer long-term damage as a result of Bauser's actions.

"The investigation into this offence uncovered Bauser's devious and cunning approach to groom and target the victim. Not only did he betray her trust but that of her family."

The officer continued: "The prosecution would not have been possible without the assistance of the public and other professionals, who provided key evidence. They are to be thanked for their contribution."